Deceived

(author's note: Special thanks to Tigerlily for the original story idea, and to Julie for always being such a willing sounding board.)

Chapter One

It had been almost too easy. Lisa shed her prison uniform for jeans and a halter top, savoring the way even the air smelled different when you were free. Of course, they'd be looking for her as soon as that stupid dentist and his bimbo assistant woke up and freed themselves, but in the meantime, the world – and the object of her desire – were Lisa's for the taking. Steve Austin would be putty in her hands! Running the tip of her tongue across her lips like the predator she was, she put herself into full 'Jaime' mode and picked up the phone.

- - - - - -

The call had been a complete surprise to Steve. Jaime had sounded so happy, and not at all tentative, the way she'd usually been lately when it came to him. Ever since the operation had partially restored her memory and she'd been gently filled in on the rest, Jaime had been very skittish around Steve, afraid to acknowledge or discuss what would only cause pain for both of them.

Today, on the phone, she'd almost sounded like a different Jaime, like...his Jaime. She told him she wanted to talk about the two of them, about their relationship, and she'd told him to chill the glasses; she was bringing wine. Steve almost didn't dare to hope, and yet...he couldn't help himself. When he heard her gentle knock on the door, he unplugged the phone (so they wouldn't be disturbed) and took a deep breath, his pulse rising as he saw her on the doorstep. Her smile as she greeted him brought new hope to an aching heart.

- - - - - -

"Excuse me? Could you repeat that?" Oscar was livid – red-faced, chain-cigar-smoking livid. "Where the hell was the guard?" Assured (but by no means reassured) that the prison system was doing everything possible to find the newly-escaped convict, he slammed down the phone and moved fluidly and quickly to the outer office to begin rapid-fire delivery of orders. The warden and his men had blown it; Oscar was in charge now.

"Callahan, I need Rudy Wells up here as soon as possible. Call Jack Hansen and have his best team personally escort Jaime Sommers here immediately. And get Steve Austin on the phone. Tell him Lisa Galloway is loose, and get him here – now."

- - - - - -

Lisa could tell by the look on Steve's face that he was buying it – she was pulling it off! Sadness tweaked her very briefly when she saw the love in his eyes and knew it wasn't really for her, but she could definitely use it, enjoy it and (for a few hours, at least) make it hers. She smiled at him, delving deep into those gorgeous eyes of his.

"Hi," she purred softly in her best 'Jaime' voice. She was careful to put just a touch of hesitance in her words. "I...really missed you." Lisa let her fingertips squeeze Steve's hand and then drift up his arm to his shoulder with a quick feather-touch as he held open the front door. Just as quickly, she pulled away, teasing him.

Steve looked at her in amazement, wondering just what Jaime was up to, what might really be on her mind. In the past, he'd found it best to wait her out, let her spill it all at her own pace. "I missed you, too," he told her, wanting to say so much more. He took the bottle of wine from her hand and set it on the coffee table next to two perfectly chilled glasses, deciding to let Jaime set the pace.

"I...haven't even told Rudy about this yet," Lisa said, sinking gracefully into one corner of the over-stuffed sofa.

"What? You aren't sick, are you?" He chose the opposite corner of the sofa with the intention of allowing Jaime space to breathe and be comfortable.

Lisa edged her body a little closer to him, her eyes locked into Steve's in a way that wouldn't let him look away. "No, nothing like that." She moved close enough now to lightly rest her hand on his arm. "I...remember, Steve," she whispered. "I remember...us."

Steve was floored. Was she saying what he thought he'd just heard? Was it possible? Her touch felt electric and her words sent shivers of happiness to the depths of his soul. "Are you ok?" he asked softly, when he'd found his voice again.

"That depends." Lisa inched toward him again, the gap between them nearly closed.

"On...?"

"You." She sank easily into the crook of Steve's arm, and her closeness made his arm snake reflexively around her waist, gently pulling her the rest of the distance. Their faces were now inches apart. Lisa smiled. "And that was exactly the right answer," she cooed, leaning in to brush his lips with her own. When she met eagerness and no resistance, she pressed in even further, her entire body against Steve's, feeling her every move reciprocated and savored.

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